November 28, 2007

This cartoon was based on a summary of all the recalled toys made in China over the past year. Contrary to what some people would have you believe, it's quite possible to buy products made in other countries. I know some people will say, "Yeah, but they cost more. Hey, I ain't a rich cartoonist like you," but those are the same people squandering their money on two packs of cigarettes a day or spending their weekend at the casinos, or adorning their bods with bling and tats.

OK, fine, if you insist on buying anything made in China, use this checklist just to be safe. China may be the smartest enemy we've ever had. If you don't think China is our enemy, then they've already defeated you. I

'll give you two things to digest. 1. Their military is working overtime to hack into our military's websites. They are trying every second of every day to steal our top secret weaponry. They want to know what we know whether we want them to know it or not.

2. China holds a large part of the billions we owe in federal debt. This country's national IOUs are made out to the People's Republic of China. My inclination is to not buy anything at all made in China, not until we sign some kind of military treaty and pay off our debt. We're heading for a big moment with China. That moment will come when the citizens of Taiwan decide they want to be a free and independent state. Then our true relationship with China will be revealed. I only hope we have a strong, articulate, intelligent, courageous diplomat in the White House. One year, one month and 23 days until that's possible.

4 Comments

The issues with Chinese goods should not be unexpected. The Wild East is as cutthroat as the Wild West was in the 19th Century. I am not surprised that lead would be found in anything from China. The ease by which someone can make a manufacturing substitution to a different paint or plastic additive to brighten the color is easy everywhere, especially if you have already given cutthroat pricing to your customer. Every yuan saved goes right into the owners pocket.

I take issue with your two points:

1. The Soviet Union would be doing the same thing if the internet explosion did not coinside with the implosion of the USSR.

2. In order to save space, refer to my comments on your October 31 posting (the scary Halloween costume). This is the forth time in 30 years that people say the sky is falling. It is now 7.38 yuan to the dollar and continues to strengthen, just as I talk about. The eventual correction for too much one-way trade.

While Christmas shopping several years ago I was struck with sheer irony. After I got home from shopping, I discovered a nativity set that I purchased was made in China. The irony is that they can pump these things out by the boatload to prop up their economy, but heaven forbid I bring the same set that they made back into China and I would probably be arrested because it depicts a religious scene. Also, due to their religious intolerance, the same worker who made the set could never purchase and display his wares in his own house without being arrested!